Bio
Richie Santa is a singer/Elvis Tribute Artist, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and now lives in NJ, only 16 miles from where he initially grew up.
Being exposed to Elvis at the early age of eight, Richie was instantly a fan! As the oldest of three boys, Richie would share his love for music and Elvis with his brother Robert, who is also an entertainer. Trying to sing and move like the KING became an everyday occurrence in the Santa household.
Richie's career started with a band called Neighborhood Jukebox. The jukebox was an oldies band and some highlights included opening up for Roy Orbison and singing live on the Don K. Reed Do Wop-Shop Radio show on CBS's 101.1 FM.
Richie also sang the title track to a short-lived TV show called FAST FORWARD.
It was around that time that a friend and then unknown comic from Brooklyn named "Andrew Dice Clay" had gotten his big break and asked Richie and his band to back him up at such venues as PHILI SPECTRUM, LA FORUM, NASSAU COLISEUM, etc.. Richie also got the chance to meet many stars along the way such as Jerry Lewis, Danny Aiello, Arnold Swartzenager and Rodney Dangerfield Etc...
The highlight to touring with Andrew Dice Clay came when the movie DICE RULES was filmed at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN. Richie still remains good friends with Andrew and on occasion will still perform with him.
Performing thousands of shows, Richie has covered many different artists such as Frank Sinatra, Frankie Vali, Andrea Bocelli, Journey, Aerosmith, AC DC, Al Green, Michael Buble, Bon Jovi, and the list goes on and on. Although covering this artist are enjoyable and great in their own right, Know one has influenced him like the "KING"
Elvis is the reason Richie became an entertainer and WHY he is still going strong today! The last 12 years have been exciting as Richie has been pursuing his career as a Tribute Artist. Being the same height and weight as Elvis in his prime makes his show a more believable experience. Then add the power of Richie's voice and the transformation is complete.
Richie has performed over 900 shows as an Elvis Tribute Artist focusing on the Vegas concert years. Most of these shows have been private affairs, but just 8 years ago Richie decided to get more involved. Richie was part of Elvis Fest at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Soon after that Richie was off to Memphis for Elvis week. While in Memphis he performed at the Cedar Hotel and at Graceland Plaza and also competed in IMAGES OF THE KING where he made it to the finals. Since then Richie competed in the Pocono Mountains, Lake George, and New Hampshire etc..
Richie can be seen in the movie NERVE and has been a guest on Geri Petito show on Hamilton radio numerous times. Other Hamilton radio shows Richie's been on are Dj Dani show, the wisecracking show with Dave Weiskopf and The Round Table show with John Brecko. He's also made an appearance on Ava's casual chat cable tv show, the Colleen Kavanaugh Podcast and
Tom Hogan host of " Music By Family and Friends " Cape May radio.
Blastzone Mike's Facebook Live show
The Love and respect Richie has for Elvis is evident in all his performances!
Anyone who knows about Elvis knows how much he cared about his career and how much he loved his fans and treated them with kindness patience and respect.
Being a personable person by nature, Richie truly enjoys all the fans he has met along the way to celebrate the KINGs music. There will never be another Elvis Presley. He lit the torch, but as long as his fans enjoy and support all the ETA's, then Richie will continue to perform his show with the passion and the commitment to the greatest entertainer ever to grace a stage!
Abbreviated list of Venues
Malt Shop Cruise
Tangerine community center Florida
The Long Island Club Florida
Becall Rec center Florida
Eisenhower Rec center Florida
Odell Rec center Florida
Mulberry Rec center Florida
Mount Dora theater Florida
Lake Miona CC Florida
Elvis Remembered Club Florida
Studio 53 Florida
Zellwood CC Florida
City Fire Florida
Englewood Event Center Florida
Boca Black Box Florida
Hattfields Florida
Plaza Grand community New Jersey
The Villages Community New Jersey
Fairway Mews Community New Jersey
Strand Theater New Jersey
Four Seasons community New Jersey
Sonata Bay Clubhouse New Jersey
Pugillos Restaurant New Jersey
Brick House Bar n Grill New Jersey
Barrow Civic Theater PA
Amish Country Theater Berlin Ohio
Puglia's of Hester Staten Island NY
Casa Verdi restaurant Staten Island NY
Grand Plaza Hall Staten Island NY
Z-two Restaurant Staten Island NY
Graceland Plaza Memphis
Cannon Center Memphis
Daisy Theater Memphis
Mulcahys Long Island NY
Westbury Country Club Long Island NY
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Hogansburg, NY
World Resort Casino Queens NY
Metropolitan Room NYC
Ryman Auditorium Nashville
Opry Mills Mall Nashville
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